Addressing machine and card feeding mechanism therefor



H. P. ELLIOTT Dec. 26, 1939.

ADDRESSING MACHINE AND CARD FEEDING MECHAN'ISM THEREFOR Original FiledAug. 26, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 26, 1939. H. P. ELLIOTT 2,185,014

ADDRESSING MACHINE AND CARD FEEDING MECHANISM THEREFOR Original FiledAug. 26, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 26, 1939 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE ADDRESSING MACHINE AND CARD FEED- ING MECHANISM THEREFORHarmon P. Elliott, Watertowm'Mass.

` 11 Claims. This invention relates to addressing machines which havemechanism for automatically feeding' cards, envelopes and the like, tothe addressing elements; and has particular reference to the cardfeeding mechanism. y

' The addressing machine with which this invention is particularlyconcerned, although to which it is not limited, comprises a pair ofrotating .printing sectors which grip between them a card or envelopeand a printing device, specifically a stencil, and advance both incontact during the printing operation. The stencils are advanced insuccession toward the printing sector from a stack of stencils. Thecards are advanced in succession towards the sectors by mechanismincluding a drum and a cooperating small roll, the successive cardsbeing advanced from a stack by a pusher into the engagement of the drumand roll. The drum is smooth-faced at leastat that part confronting theroll and sometimes there is a possibility that lthe drum might slip inengagement with the card and hence not advance the card as promptly asis desired with the result that the address may not be positionedaccurately on the card. V

Hence an object of the present invention is a construction andarrangement of the card feeding mechanism that will insure the positiveand accurate delivery of cards.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a card feedingcooperating drum and roll so arranged that the card is positivelypositioned therebetween so that it can be positively advanced -by thedrum. y

A further object of the invention is the provision of card feedingapparatus including a feed drum and a cooperating roll, the drum havinga notch in its card engaging periphery adapted to receive the leadingedge of the card to permit the leading edge to pass surely under theroll and thereby be in a position to be securely engaged and advanced bythe drum and roll.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a pusher forpositively advancing the successive lowermost cards of a stack of saidcards into the bite of the drum and roll. y

A further object of the invention is generally an improved addressingmachine and the card feeding apparatus thereof.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No.160,985, filed August 26, 1937.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an addressing machine embodying thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in section of the addressing machine ofFig. 1 and illustrating particularly the card advancing mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the feed drum.

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional details of successive positions of the feeddrum and roll and illustrating the function of the notch in the feeddrum.

The addressing machine herein illustrated comprises a base l0 having aninclined top face I2 over which a pair of spaced guideways i4 areextended and between which successive printing devices, herein stencils,are advanced from a stack i6 of such stencils contained in a holder I8disposed above said lguideway and inclined top face I2.

The successive lowermost stencils of the stack are advanced therefrom bya reciprocating pusher 2B, see Fig. 2, into position to be engaged by apair of cooperating rotatable upper and lower printing sectors 22 and 24Xed to shafts 26 and 28 geared together for conjoint rotation. by theintermeshing gears 30 and rotating by the handle 32. The face of theupper sector is adapted to receive ink from the inking mechanism 34.

A card is also adapted to be advanced to the action of the printingsectors so that a card and a superimposed stencil are advanced togetherby the sectors which print' the address borne by the stencil upon thecard as both are advanced.`

The cards are advanced toward the printing sectors in successive orderfrom a vertical stack 36 of such cards or envelopes disposed rearwardlyof the stencil holder in a card holder comprising the upstanding sideplates 38, terminated at their forward parts under the stencil holder ingrooved card guides 38a, one of which is illustrated in Fig. 3,`and thebottom supports 40 having upstanding ngers 42 which engage the rear edgeof the stack. The forward edge of the stack rests upon the periphery ofa card advancing drum 44 and against a gate plate 46 the lower end ofwhich is elevated above the periphery of the drum suiciently to permitthe passage of a single card only thereunder.

The periphery of the drum is provided with a continuous raised ledge 48in the middle part thereof that supports the forward end of the stack ofcards and directly engages the lowermost card. The opposite edge partsof the periphery of the drum are provided with raised corrugated rubberstrips 50,see Fig. 4, of short axial extent to assist in advancing thelowermost card. The drum 44 is fixed to a shaft 52 `journalled in andextended transversely of the frame I0 and positively connected throughsprockets and a chain 54 with the lower segment shaft 28 so that thedrum makes one complete rotation for each complete rotation of thesegment.

The successive lowermost cards of the stack are advanced forwardly by apusher 5S comprising a generally vertical arm having a horizontal cardsupporting ledge 58 and an upstanding shoulder t0 at the rear of theledge which has a height not greater than the thickness of the card. Inthe inactive position of the pusher it is disposed at the rear of thestack and supports the stack upon the ledge 58. shoulder 6G engages therear edge of the lowermost card and thus advances it under the gate 26.The pusher is provided with -a rearwardly curved finger 62 whichupstands above theshoulder Sil in position to engage the rear edge ofthe stack after the lowermost card has been engaged and advanced a shortdistance by the shoulder titi to move the stack upwardly away from thelowermost card for the purpose of facilitating the advance of the card.

The lower end of the pusher arm 56 is fixed by a set screw 64 to a shaft66, see Fig. l, journalled in the frame I0. The end of the shaft has anarm 68 fixed thereto which extends below the drum shaft 52 and has a camroller l@ journalled thereon. The drum shaft 52 has a cam 12 fixedthereto which engages the roll and thereby rotates the arm and thepusher. A spring 74 is fixed to the arm 68 and a stationary part of themachine to maintain the roller and cam in constant engagement.

A small idler roll 76 of a length approximately equal to the width ofthe driving rib 48 cooperates with the drum 44 in advancing thesuccessive cards. Said roll overlies the driving rib G3 of the drumforwardly of the top thereof and is of small diameter and of barrelshape and is journalled in a supporting frame T8 mounted on the end of aspring plate 80 carried by a stationary part of the machine immediatelyforwardly of the gate plate 66. The spring plate thereby presses theroll yieldingly against the drum 44 and against a card thereon.

'The stroke of the rpusher 56 is of such length that the leading `edgeof the card is advanced yon the rib of the vdrum and against theperiphery of the -roll i5 slightly above the region of contact 'of theroller an'd the A`drum and is moved into the bite of the drum and rollerby the rotation of the roller against the leading edge of the -card andalso by the declination of the roller face. It may happen, however, thatthe card might not enter the bite between the roll and the drum promptlydue 'to slipping of the drum -on the card or for other reasons so thatthe card 'either is not advanced or ris not advanced promptly. To thisend the construction and arrangement of the advancing mechanism Vis suchas to cause the card to be positively advanced at the proper time.

For this purpose the periphery of the rib 43 is provided with a notch orrecess 82 which extends Aentirely -across the rib vand has the radialfront wall '84 and the inclined bottom wallSt that at fits rear edgemerges gradually with rthe cylindrical face of the rib. The notch islocated in that partof the rib disposed between the rubber strips 50 andin vsuch position with respect to the stroke of the pusher'that then'otch is between the 'top of the ydrum and the'roll 16 -or just in therear of the leadihgedge of the card at the time the leading edge isagainst the roll 75.

As the pusher advances forwardly the- 'I'hus the leading edge of thecard is over` and it falls into the notch or is flexed downwardlythereinto by the rotating roll` i6 `which bears upon the drum by thespring pressure extended by its resilient support. This position of thecardin the `notch is illustrated inFig. 6. The roll 'Iis in Vengagementwith the drum M and is rotated thereby. The roll 'it thus tends to urgethe leadv- 10 Thecorrugated rubber ing edge of the card toward the drum4 and downwardly into the notch 82 when the notch is under the leadingedge. strips 50,- at the time that the notch 82 is under the roll i6,merely s'i'pport the sides of the leading end portion of the card and.do not prevent the card from being bent into the notch 82. Thus theleading edge of the card is caused to be positively introduced betweenthe roll and the drum and thereby advanced.A The driving pressure on thecard is increased as the drum advancesl and the roll raises out of thenotch so that a positive driving engagement is insured. The end of theycard inthe notch ilexes out of the notch by its own resiliency'as kthecard and drum advance.

I claim:

1. Card feeding mechanism for addressing machines including a pair kofcoacting feed rolls be.

tween which the card is advanced and onfi',h ei periphery of one ofwhich lrolls the'advancing card is supported, yielding means urging saidrolls intov pressure engagement, means to present a card to the -actionof said rolls, and meansY on one of said rolls for supporting theleading part of the card and for insuring the entrance vof thek cardbetween the rolls.

2. Card feeding mechanism for addressingv machines including a pair ofcoacting feed 4rollsv between which the card is advanced anden theperiphery of one of which rolls the advancing card is supported,yielding means urging said rolls into pressure engagement, means topresent a card to the action Iof said rolls, 'and means in-j -suring theentrance of the cardbetween the rolls comprising-a peripherally shortnotch in the driv- 5 l ing periphery of one of said lrolls adapted to beentered bythe leading edge'of the card.

3. -Card advancing mechanism for an address- ,n v ing machinecomprising-a pair of spring-pressed coacting -rolls normally inperipheral engagement, means to present a card to the action of saidrolls, one of ysaid .rolls constituting a support for the leading partof the card, and means comprising `a shallow and peripherally shortnotch in the driving periphery of Yone roll providing a gap between saidrolls adapted to be entered by the leading edge of the card-the bottomofthe lnotch constituting asupport for the vleading edge of jthe cardtherein. p e

4. Card advancing mechanism for addressfing machines comprising adriving drum anda cooperating presser roll -between which thecard isadapted to be gripped and advanced, means for presenting a card to theaction of said drum and roll,'said drum constituting a support for theleading part of the card and having a peripheral recess adaptedlto beentered by the leading edge cf said card to position it under said rol-land -between said drum and roll. I

5. VCard feeding mechanism for addressing machines comprisingcooperating card advancing rolls, a holder forfa stack of cards, -apusher for advancing successive cards from said holderv and presentingthe cards to the action of said rolls, oneofsaid rolls `'c-.onstitutinga support for the leading part'of thev card and havinga peripheral'recessfof yshortcircumferential extent adapted to be entered by the.leading edge of the card to position the leading edge of the card belowthe periphery of the notched roll and in line with the bite of saidrolls.

6. Card advancing mechanism for addressing machines comprising a holderfor a stack of cards, a card advancing drum constituting a support forthe forward edge of the stack, a cooperating idler roll in pressurecontact with said drum, and means for advancing a card out of saidholder into position on said drum and against said roll above the bitebetween said drum'and roll, said drum having a transverse Anotch acrossits periphery adapted tobe entered by the leading edge of the card underpressure of said idler roll to insure entrance of the card between saiddrum and roll.

'7. Card advancing mechanism for addressing machines comprising a cardadvancing drum having a raised driving rib, a cooperating idler roll inrotatable pressure engagement with said rib, and means for presenting acard to the action of said drum and roll, said rib having a. transversenotch of short crcumferential length through said driving rib adapted tobe entered by the leading edge of the card to position the card betweensaid rib and roll.

8. Card advancing mechanism for addressing machines comprising a cardadvancing drum having a raised driving rib, a cooperating idler roll inrotatable pressure engagement with said rib, and means for presenting acard to the action of said drum and roll, said rib having a notchtransversely through said rib adapted to be entered by the leading edgeof the card to position the card between said rib and roll, said drumhaving card engaging friction pads on its periphery in line with saidnotch.

9. Card feeding mechanism for addressing mai, chines including a drivingdrum and a cooperating pressure roll engaging the periphery of saiddrum, said drum having a transverse notch in its driving periphery,means presenting a card onto the periphery of said drum where it issupported and the leading edge of the card to the bite between said drumand roll, and resilient l yielding' means exerting pressure on said rolland under said roll. notch and against the bottom thereof and passoperative to move said leading edge into said l0. Card feeding mechanismfor addressing machines comprising a revoluble card feeding drumcombined with a cooperating, freely journaled roller yieldingly biasedtoward the periphery of said drum, the surface portion of the latterwhich cooperates with said roller being provided with a narrow,transversely extending notch; whereby the front end of any card beingfed by the rotation or" said drum between it and said roller and locatedover said notchmay flex down into the same and thereby reduce anyresistance to its passage exerted by said roller.

11. In a rotary machine for addressing postal cards substantially suchas described having the combination of a printing mechanism, a magazinefor holding a stack of cards which is open at the bottom at that sidenearest said printing mechanism, a pair of oppositely grooved cardguides extending from a point near that side of the bottom of saidmagazine to said printing mechanism, a roller journaled abovevthe planeof said guides at a point adjacent said magazine and adapted to pressdownward on any card being fed therefrom into said guides, and arevoluble drum journaled on an axis below said magazine with itsperiphery substantially tangential to said magazine bottom, whereby thebottom card in'v said magazine may be drawn therefrom by the revolutionof said drum and fed into said guides under said roller while beingpressed thereby against said drum periphery; the improvement whichconsists in providing said drum with a transversely extending notch inits driving periphery at a point that will be substantially beneath saidroller when the front edge of any card being fed from said magazine bysaid drum is in Contact with said roller.

HARMON P. ELLIOTT.

CERTIFICATE .0E CORRECTION. v Patent No; 2,185,01h. y December 26, 1959.

' HARMON P. ELLIOTT.

' It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent .requiring correction as follows: Page 5,'second column, lines LL, 5- and 6, claim 9, for "under said roll. notchand against the bottom thereof and pass operative to lmove said leadingedge into said" read operative tol move said leading edge into lsaidnotch and against the bottom thereof and pass under said roll. and thatthe said Letters Patent .should -be read with this Acorrection thereinthat the same vmay conform to the record of the case in the Paten-tOffice.

signed' and sealed this 50th day of January', A. D. 19m.

Henry Van Ars'dale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

